There is a flowering houseplant (it was named 2007 Desk Plant of the Year) with a name that I think speaks volumes for the dreams and hopes for this new year of 2014 ... the peace lily.

Like most of our domesticated houseplants, Spathiphyllum wallisi comes from far warmer climates. This beauty is native to the tropical, moist shade found along the forest floors of Central and South America.

I often say if we can closely mimic a plant's natural lifestyle we can grow it, but here's what is so cool about this plant: The humidity level in the air can be tampered with during the winter months, as long as the soil remains moist but not soggy.

To create this, water thoroughly with tepid water, allowing the excess to drain out the holes. Let the plant sit a good hour in the saucer of excess water to ensure the soil is evenly moist, then dump.

For seven years now, I have had a peace lily, and we heat with wood. I try to never allow the soil to dry out (I won't lie, it has wilted on occasion, but I water as noted above and life goes on). It resides next to a stationary, east-facing glass door pane, well out of the reaches of any brutal winter draft, the enemy of any houseplant. I have repotted it only twice as it approached being a bit pot-bound, and as of this morning it measures a peaceful 34 inches across its canopy. Bottom line: This houseplant is carefree and forgiving.

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During the summer months I move it outdoors, away from direct sunlight. You will know a spot is too bright by way of scorched and yellowed leaves. It begins to flower in early summer, sending up multiple flower stalks, one bud per stalk that eventually open to a greenish spathe (looks kind of like a cobra's neck when it's ready to attack). This spathe surrounds what is termed a spadix, which is actually the true flower. The spadix is shaped like a 2- to 3-inch unsharpened crayon covered in white bumps, aka the flowers.

When grown in a greenhouse or in its native landscape, the peace lily will bloom nonstop.

Here in the great Northeast, we should get a good six months of bloom time; if yours fails to flower, it may be that the light is too low, so try moving to a brighter spot but not into direct sun. Also watch the pot size; as mentioned, it does like to be a bit pot-bound, but should you water and it seeps right out, you need to repot.

Once the flower begins to brown, cut the stalk off, so the energy goes to new flowers rather than seed production.

The plant itself when not in bloom is stunning, with shiny, dark green leaves that are deeply veined. The leaf can grow easily to a length of 11-inches — I just measured one of mine! Each has its own stem that comes directly from the crown of the plant,. This plant does not produce branches.

I'm guessing, but my plant must have well over 100 leaves with more coming continually. They tend to arch a bit, giving the outline of the plant a very peaceful, graceful appearance, and when they show signs of retirement by way of yellowing, I simply prune them at their stem's base, so there is no unsightly bare stem left.

It's a plant that offers peace and gracefulness while being both carefree and forgiving. Words to live by in 2014.